Need to toast a special moment, milestone or proud event? Raise a glass of bubbly (sparkling juice) – then sweeten the memory with decadent chocolates, scrumptious cookies, Lindt truffles, English almond toffee and more. The star embossed metal ice bucket adds a cool touch of class to the festivities.
Silver Star Embossed Metal Bucket with plastic liner
Champagne style bottle of Sparkling White Grape Juice 25.4oz
English Almond Toffee Crunch 4oz
Golden Sweet Angelina Butter C (more…)
4th Edition The pocket edition of Tom Stevenson’s newest guide to champagne is not just a diminutive edition of its larger cousin, Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine, it is the newest, most up-to-date work, with a less assuming and mobile size by the author hailed as, “An authority acknowledged even by the Champenois.” His renown is matched only by his love of the stuff, which stamps each sentence with that distinctive Stevenson style: “The Titanic (more…)
Moet White Star is one of the top selling mid-range sparkling wines for many years, but is no longer produced. White Star is a balanced blend of three wine varieties, revealing a harmonious succession of sensations, a soft maturity, and elegant lines. Soft and mature aroma of white fruits, like peaches and pears, and hints of nuts. White Star has been a staple for decades, but was discontinued at the beginning of 2009. If you see it on a shelf for sale and you are a fan of this cuvee, don’t hesitate. It won’t last! If your local wine retailer doesn’t have any quantity on hand, don’t despair, the new Moet Imperial is very similar. According to the Wine Spectator: “Rich and off-dry, this is pleasant, yet with straightforward citrus and ginger notes. It’s balanced with modest length. Drink now.”
Champagne Bottle Stopper, high-gloss finish, Champagne Bottle Stopper by Winco. WINCO is a manufacturer and worldwide importer of kitchenware and tableware. From cookware to flatware, we are dedicated to provide professional chefs and restaurateurs with quality products and superb services.
Throughout history, waves of invaders have coveted the northeast corner of France: Attila the Hun in the fifth century, the English in the Hundred Years War, the Prussians in the nineteenth century. Yet this region – which historians say has suffered more battles and wars than any other place on earth – is also the birthplace of one thing the entire world equates with good times, friendship and celebration: champagne.
Champagne is the story of the world’s favorite wine. It tells how a sparkling beverage that became the toast of society during the Belle Epoque emerged after World War I as a global icon of fine taste and good living. The book celebrates the gutsy, larger–than–life characters whose proud determination nurtured and preserved the land and its grapes throughout centuries of conflict.
“Compelling… a lovingly written ode to this incomparable, festive wine.” – New York Newsday on Champagne
This year, expect to see lots of events highlighting grower champagnes which are made by Champenoise families who grow the grapes and make it into small quantities of finely crafted champagne.
Grower champagnes with names like Pierre Gimmonnet, Henri Billiot, Gratien and Vilmart are sought after in Europe and they’re what savvy sommeliers sip at home. Their reputation is growing here thanks to the work of people like Terry Theise of importer Michael Skurnik who believes this “fun family fizz” offers a much more interesting flavor experience than a mass-produced bubbly. This year the Independent Champagne & Sparkling Wine Invitational – first large U.S. event devoted to exploration of grower champagne – was held from April 15-18, 2010 in New Orleans with classes, pairing dinners and tastings.
In California, Dr. Champagne aka Jerry Horn presented a champagne-soaked four course dinner showcasing grower wines at Picco in Larkspur on Feb. 23. The dinner created by chefs Bruce Hill and Chris Whaley started with hamachi crudo with tarragon, blood orange and crispy onions paired with Egly-Ouriet Premier Cru Brut, a family owned winery with vineyards in Ambonnay and Bouzy, some of the best areas for pinot noir. Then came poached lobster and caviar with another grower champagne, the Jean Vesselle Brut Oeil de Perdrix, an elegant wine blanc de noirs Dr. Champagne introduced me to. It has a hint of rosiness, like the eye of a partridge.
La Champagne is a region of timeless natural beauty. The name derives from the Latin ‘campus’, ‘campania’, or field. In Old French this became ‘Champaign’. Today, it’s Champagne. From the very outset, the wines of Champagne were prized above all the vineyards of Europe. Over 24 million bottles are sold in the U.S. every year. Here are a few cheeses we enjoy with champagne:Chevre by Couturier: It’s nice that CHampagne and CHevre both start with CH, because the two pair perfectly (more…)
“Straightforward yet refreshingly opinionated.”–New York Times”Delivers big time.”–Chicago Tribune”My favorite 2009 wine book.”–The Wine News
Champagne is synonymous with celebration and success–but have its festive associations detracted from its status as a fine wine in its own right? Drawing on his intimate knowledge of a classic but rapidly changing region, Michael Edwards takes a radically different approach in this unrivaled, terroir-based (more…)
Domaine Carneros Brut Rose
Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuveé de la Pompadour – Since 2005, all the wines from this Taittinger-owned house in Napa have been made from organically grown grapes; the estate’s vineyards were certified organic in 2008. Winemaker and CEO Eileen Crane says the vines just seem more vigorous, it’s better for the workers and the wines taste even better. The Brut Rosé is completely dry, but has wonderful strawberry and plum flavors thanks to the predominance of pinot noir. It’s $25 to $30 a bottle.
Sangria makes a perfect way to celebrate, especially when it’s one like this with fresh berries and the Italian sparkling wine Brachetto or it’s made in the traditional Spanish-style.
Ruby Red Sangria
This fragrant sangria stars fresh summer raspberries, blueberries and strawberries with the sweet -tart red sparkling wine from Piedmont, Italy called Brachetto d’Acqui.The cognac and crème de cassis add an extra layer of depth and flavor.
16 raspberries
16 blueberries
16 strawberries
1 cup Landy cognac, chilled
1/2 cup crème de cassis
1/2 cup Homemade Sour Mix
1/4 cup orange juice
1 bottle Brachetto d’Acqui, chilled
8 slices orange
8 slices lemon
Add the berries to a cocktail shaker and muddle them to a juicy pulp. Transfer the muddled berries and juice to a pitcher. Add the cognac, crème de cassis, sour mix and orange juice. Stir well to combine. Just before serving, add the chilled Brachetto to the pitcher. Fill the serving glasses halfway with crushed ice. Add an orange slice and lemon slice to each glass, then fill with the sangria.
Makes 8 servings